2011 Reno Air Races - Thursday Report Pt 1

[fiedlertimify]

RIP Jimmy and all spectators and their families who were affected by this tragic and random accident.

[Inamu99]

I Wander What he was thinking.. R.I.P. Jimmy One of the best flyers ever!

[epcdave]

Leeward. Sorry.

[TheEpicflyer]

my wife just told me 15 minutes ago about this accident......i should have known earlier...that was tragic.....a great loss for all aviation enthusiasts...RIP to the pilot and others killed.....

[RFKFANTS67]

RIP Jimmy, God speed home! and clear blue, calm eternal skies for you and Galloping Ghost

[localbois]

R.I.P Jimmy and Ghost..very tradgic accident.my heart goes to all of his famil and friends and all those who were also involved with this tragic accident who also lost loved 1s and who have loved 1s recovering.

[maehd68]

R.I.P. JIMMY LEEWARD...GALLOPING GHOST 177 P-51....SKIES THE LIMIT

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THOSE WHO LOST OR HAVE RECOVERING LOVED ONES>>>

[thissong4you]

I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend and neighbor Jim Leeward, a truly wonderful man and remarkable pilot. Those in his Ocala community and those in his flying community know there has never been a more competent, careful pilot, nor a finer man. My heart aches for Bette and all of their family and for the other lives lost and families devastated by this tragic accident.

[iflysim]

R.I.P Jimmy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[sbd45acp]

Other video shows the trim tab on the left elevator torn loose & fluttering. At nearly 500 mph in a high G turn stick forces must be very heavy.Loss of the trim tab & unequal airflow could have caused him to roll inverted & loose control as he pulls back hard on the stick after declaring MayDay & pulling up out of the race.Things happen real fast at 450+ MPH and only 1000 ft from the stands. Looks like he used what little control he had left to try to miss the crowd. RIP Jimmy Leeward

[Vote4RonPaulLiberty]

So sorry to family, friends and loved ones. I have a soft spot in my heart for men like him, there are far too few of them.

[AgentRoadkill]

Rest in Peace, Jimmy and Ghost

[AgentRoadkill]

@AgentRoadkill and let's not forget the spectator who got killed also.

as far as old people flying... my dad was flying a homebuilt cropduster at 70. he got killed due to engine failure while spraying. plane was less then 5 years old

[rwf36]

RIP Jimmy



[bribos99]

Stang got it exactly right...these guys are the best of the best. Compared to this type of pilot, a NASCAR driver would still be in drivers training.

RIP Mr Leeward

and to the clouds and beyond for the 'Ghost!

[dongtingwong]

Is it normal for these planes to crash and not erupt into a fireball? Could it have been out of fuel due to the fact there was no fire? If there would have been a fireball many, many more people could have perished.

[localbois]

@dongtingwong highly doubt it was out off fuel.explosions dont also happen because there is gas around.the speed at what this plane hit the ground most likely evapporated the fuel and dispersed it..pilot of his expeiance would not let it run out of fuel plus there would been a waring signal...

[spore5056]

Why don't we all just wait until the accident is investigated before passing judgement on Mr. Leewards age? If it was a mechanical problem, then it wouldn't matter how old the pilot was. Back in the 70's, Steve Hinton, one of the finest pilots ever to fly, was nearly killed when his RB-51, Red Baron Mustang suffered a mechanical problem and the resulting horrifying crash nearly took his life. This kind of incident is pretty rare in air racing and is sometimes tragic. RIP, Mr Leeward.

[scorsbygirl]

Could not have said it better stangflyer60.

[Mertensify]

@stangflyer60 I think you are right as far as the plane is concerned, but an 80 years old man should not fly a plane in a race like this! There are 70 years old people that shouldnt even drive cars anymore. He might have experience, more than anyone, but this does not make up for physical weaknesses. You need to be in top shape to fly planes that fast and even if he was the top athlete among 80-year-olds, he is still old and prone to all kinds of physical malfunctions.

[Mertensify]

@stangflyer60 I think you are right as far as the plane is concerned, but an 80 years old man should not fly a plane in a race like this! There are 70 years old people that shouldnt even drive cars anymore. He might have experience, more than anyone, but this does not make up for physical weaknesses. You need to be in top shape to fly planes that fast and even if he was the top athlete among 80-year-olds, he is still old and prone to all kinds of physical malfunctions.

[sherriffnoldie]

It's a very good day to hug a friend and call your mom.

[chisp1210]

RIP 2:22

[mauisharkhawaii]

My mentor and friend, Steve Beville, was the original owner of "The Galloping Ghost," named in honor of the University of Illinois and Chicago Bears football star Harold "Red" Grange. I recall fondly spending many hours with Steve hearing his amazing stories, flying as a Ferry Pilot during WWII, and his story of how they originally purchased this P-51 and entered the 1946 "Cleveland Air Races." So, another Chapter in Aviation History comes to a close. R.I.P. "Jimmy." Joel Edwards AA 777 CA ret.

[mig21lover]

hell jimmy became a dark horse... wow a day before his death....

[trainman34014]

RIP the pilot and all others who died. Very best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured. I am sure the enquiry into this accident will have long reaching consequences.

[crazyTMAXXman]

RIP jimmy :(

[BoothsLuver]

@Tmoth3 Yeah, I heard from my dad. There's actually 3 dead and 54+ injured. Sorry to hear about Jimmy. My thoughts and prayers go to his and everyone else's families. Being a Reno Native, this breaks my heart.

[TiGGyZCabin]

R.I.P Jimmy Leeward, and the Galloping Ghost.

[akemico]

Sad news, there are reports that Mr. Leeward died in today's crash (9/16)

RIP Jimmy Leeward.

FOX40.com reports it.

[246cjoe]

I grew up building these planes and I admire and respect these warriors and their planes. God Bless and God speed.

[rwoods1985]

Me aslo,,, tragedy how very sad

[BoothsLuver]

I hope Mr. Leeward is okay. Please keep us posted on his plane and himself. Just found out about his crash today.

[fido5150]

@BoothsLuver I don't want to seem the naysayer, but from the video footage I've seen his airplane was nearly vertical at impact. It doesn't look good.

[Tmoth3]

@BoothsLuver I'm very sad to say Jimmy Leeward is dead and The Galloping Ghosts was destroyed on impact.Over 12 people are dead , many , many are critically injured.